From remarks made to US Bishops
"In a society which values personal freedom and autonomy, it is easy to lose sight of our dependence on others as well as the responsibilities that we bear towards them. This emphasis on individualism has even affected the Church (cf. Spe Salvi, 13-15), giving rise to a form of piety which sometimes emphasizes our private relationship with God at the expense of our calling to be members of a redeemed community. Yet from the beginning, God saw that “it is not good for man to be alone” (Gen 2:18). We were created as social beings who find fulfillment only in love – for God and for our neighbor. If we are truly to gaze upon him who is the source of our joy, we need to do so as members of the people of God (cf. Spe Salvi, 14). If this seems counter-cultural, that is simply further evidence of the urgent need for a renewed evangelization of culture."
Isn't it true that we have become 'shoppers' even when it comes to religion. We look for the community that most entertains us and most meets our needs, and neglect the fact that we go to Mass in order to place our lives on the altar within the context of Jesus' complete offering to the Father of Himself. The individualism of which the pope speaks causes more and more people to create God in their own image. Religious communities can too easily bow to this pressure to give their members great latitude in accepting any real moral or doctrinal teaching. Let us pray with our Pope that our bishops will be able to strengthen the unity of our Church. Let us pray that all fallen away Catholics will see that true worship can only take place within a community that believes the same thing and worships the same way! May the Holy Spirit continue to guide the Church into the truth that Jesus left Her, and preserve Her unity!
"In a society which values personal freedom and autonomy, it is easy to lose sight of our dependence on others as well as the responsibilities that we bear towards them. This emphasis on individualism has even affected the Church (cf. Spe Salvi, 13-15), giving rise to a form of piety which sometimes emphasizes our private relationship with God at the expense of our calling to be members of a redeemed community. Yet from the beginning, God saw that “it is not good for man to be alone” (Gen 2:18). We were created as social beings who find fulfillment only in love – for God and for our neighbor. If we are truly to gaze upon him who is the source of our joy, we need to do so as members of the people of God (cf. Spe Salvi, 14). If this seems counter-cultural, that is simply further evidence of the urgent need for a renewed evangelization of culture."
Isn't it true that we have become 'shoppers' even when it comes to religion. We look for the community that most entertains us and most meets our needs, and neglect the fact that we go to Mass in order to place our lives on the altar within the context of Jesus' complete offering to the Father of Himself. The individualism of which the pope speaks causes more and more people to create God in their own image. Religious communities can too easily bow to this pressure to give their members great latitude in accepting any real moral or doctrinal teaching. Let us pray with our Pope that our bishops will be able to strengthen the unity of our Church. Let us pray that all fallen away Catholics will see that true worship can only take place within a community that believes the same thing and worships the same way! May the Holy Spirit continue to guide the Church into the truth that Jesus left Her, and preserve Her unity!
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